diff --git a/client/public/version.js b/client/public/version.js
index fd02007..36a1176 100644
--- a/client/public/version.js
+++ b/client/public/version.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 // Maintainer-controlled web client version.
 // Format: YYYY.MM.DD Rn (example: 2026.02.20 R2)
-window.CHGRID_WEB_VERSION = "2026.02.22 R165";
+window.CHGRID_WEB_VERSION = "2026.02.22 R166";
 // Optional display timezone for timestamps. Falls back to America/Detroit if unset/invalid.
 window.CHGRID_TIME_ZONE = "America/Detroit";
diff --git a/client/src/main.ts b/client/src/main.ts
index a4301ae..07ad8e1 100644
--- a/client/src/main.ts
+++ b/client/src/main.ts
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@ const MIC_CALIBRATION_ACTIVE_RMS_THRESHOLD = 0.003;
 const MIC_INPUT_GAIN_SCALE_MULTIPLIER = 2;
 const MIC_INPUT_GAIN_STEP = 0.05;
 const HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL_MS = 10_000;
+const RECONNECT_DELAY_MS = 2_000;
+const RECONNECT_MAX_ATTEMPTS = 3;
 
 declare global {
   interface Window {
@@ -512,6 +514,10 @@ function handleSignalingStatus(message: string): void {
   if (message === 'Connected.') {
     return;
   }
+  if (message === 'Disconnected.' && state.running && !reconnectInFlight) {
+    void reconnectAfterSocketClose();
+    return;
+  }
   pushChatMessage(message);
 }
 
@@ -1109,16 +1115,37 @@ function startHeartbeat(): void {
 
 /** Performs one reconnect attempt when heartbeat timeout indicates stale signaling. */
 async function reconnectAfterHeartbeatTimeout(): Promise<void> {
+  await reconnectWithRetry('heartbeat');
+}
+
+/** Performs immediate reconnect when websocket closes unexpectedly. */
+async function reconnectAfterSocketClose(): Promise<void> {
+  await reconnectWithRetry('socketClose');
+}
+
+/** Reconnects after disconnect with delay and bounded retry attempts. */
+async function reconnectWithRetry(reason: 'heartbeat' | 'socketClose'): Promise<void> {
   if (reconnectInFlight || !state.running) return;
   reconnectInFlight = true;
   stopHeartbeat();
-  pushChatMessage('Connection stale. Reconnecting...');
-  disconnect();
-  try {
-    await connect();
-  } finally {
-    reconnectInFlight = false;
+  if (reason === 'heartbeat') {
+    pushChatMessage('Connection stale. Reconnecting...');
   }
+  disconnect();
+  for (let attempt = 1; attempt <= RECONNECT_MAX_ATTEMPTS; attempt += 1) {
+    await new Promise((resolve) => window.setTimeout(resolve, RECONNECT_DELAY_MS));
+    await connect();
+    if (state.running) {
+      reconnectInFlight = false;
+      return;
+    }
+    if (attempt < RECONNECT_MAX_ATTEMPTS) {
+      pushChatMessage(`Reconnect attempt ${attempt} failed. Retrying...`);
+    }
+  }
+  pushChatMessage('Reconnect failed after 3 attempts. Press Connect to retry.');
+  audio.sfxUiCancel();
+  reconnectInFlight = false;
 }
 
 /** Builds dependencies shared by connect/disconnect flow helpers. */
diff --git a/docs/protocol-notes.md b/docs/protocol-notes.md
index 251f6ee..4620baa 100644
--- a/docs/protocol-notes.md
+++ b/docs/protocol-notes.md
@@ -61,7 +61,9 @@ This is a behavior guide for packet semantics beyond raw schemas.
 
 - Client sends automatic heartbeat `ping` packets every 10 seconds while connected.
 - Heartbeat pings use negative `clientSentAt` ids and are internal (not user-visible ping status).
-- If a heartbeat `pong` is missed for one interval (10 seconds), client force-disconnects and reconnects.
+- If websocket close is observed unexpectedly, client starts reconnect flow.
+- If a heartbeat `pong` is missed for one interval (10 seconds), client also starts reconnect flow.
+- Reconnect flow waits 2 seconds and retries up to 3 times before stopping.
 - After reconnect, if `welcome.serverInfo.instanceId` changed, client announces `Server restarted.`
 - Client emits `Connected. Version <version>.` after each `welcome`.
 - If `welcome.serverInfo.version` differs from running client version, client auto-reloads.
diff --git a/docs/runtime-flow.md b/docs/runtime-flow.md
index 50ce0ad..b7e449a 100644
--- a/docs/runtime-flow.md
+++ b/docs/runtime-flow.md
@@ -47,8 +47,10 @@ Core incoming message effects:
 
 ## Stale Connection Recovery
 
-- While running, client sends heartbeat `ping` every 10 seconds.
-- If one heartbeat `pong` is missed (10-second interval), client auto-reconnects.
+- If websocket closes unexpectedly, client starts reconnect flow immediately.
+- While running, client also sends heartbeat `ping` every 10 seconds (fallback for silent half-open cases).
+- If one heartbeat `pong` is missed (10-second interval), client starts reconnect flow.
+- Reconnect flow waits 2 seconds and retries up to 3 times.
 - If reconnect lands on a different `welcome.serverInfo.instanceId`, client announces server restart.
 - Connect/reconnect status message is emitted from `welcome` and includes server version.